Gayle's Review of Look Before You Leap by Virginia Heath

Available Now!

The second hilarious and heartwarming novel in the Miss Pretence’s Protégées Regency romp of a series

Nine years ago, Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount of Wennington, was publicly humiliated when a reckless romantic gesture went very wrong. Despite that, his mother held tight to the promise he made her then: that she would have a house full of grandchildren by his thirtieth birthday. Still single, embittered, and swiftly approaching that milestone birthday, there’s not a grandchild in sight. His heart now lies with his land and work is his life. In desperation, his mother decides that if he refuses to venture back into society to find her future daughter-in-law, the only solution is to bring society to him via a weeklong houseparty so that she can find one for him. The first Guy knows about her plan is when her hand-picked gaggle of debutantes arrive at his estate, all competing to be his wife.

After failing miserably as a governess, Lottie Travers isn’t proving to be any better at being a lady’s companion. As the only girl in an all-male household growing up, she’s developed several bad habits she can’t shake and keep getting her dismissed. Even after years of Miss Prentice’s teachings, Lottie still climbs a tree better than she embroiders, and still cannot seem to curb the desire to gallop astride a horse in breeches whenever an opportunity arises. But with the family farm in trouble, and her father now in dire need of her wages to keep it afloat, she’s determined to conquer her wildness once and for all and concentrate on her career.

Even with his home full of eligible women, there is only one that catches Guy’s eye, as much as he tries to deny it. And succeeding in her new role is easier said than done for Lottie when the Wennington Estate is filled with horses and she can’t help but feel a spark around the grumpy Lord. By the end of the week, will the two of them remain stuck in their ways, or will they learn that they may just be the perfect match?

Do you love grumpy heroes and feisty heroines? Look no further than Look Before You Leap by the talented Virginia Heath. Look Before You Leap is the second book in Miss Prentice’s Protege’s, but it easily reads as a standalone. Lottie Travers and her friends were students at Miss Prentice’s School for Young Ladies and she has returned to the school after losing her job as a governess. Lottie is at a crossroads and her future looks gloomy. She needs to find employment soon to help her family farm. Lottie’s love of horses and her creative way of finding a horse to ride has caused issues in her past employment. Yet despite the trouble it has caused she continues to need to ride and the faster the better. On one such wild ride in Hyde Park on a borrowed horse she meets Lord Guy Harrowby, Viscount Wennington and sparks fly. Or hooves. Such a great meeting and Lottie and the Guy are destined to annoy each other all the while fighting a growing mutual attraction. This couple are obviously soul mates and there is more than their love of horses that bring them together. Throw in great side characters such as the hero’s widowed mother who just wants to throw him a birthday party, his outrageous but caring aunt who happens to be Lottie's new employer and a party of unwanted conniving debutantes, this story rolls right along with chaos and charm. Guy and Lottie are a well-matched pair who navigate the pitfalls of their blooming relationship with humor and passion. There are funny situations and touching ones as well. Look Before You Leap is perfect for old and new fans of Virginia Heath. Look Before You Leap is one of my favorite books that Virginia Heath has written. Do yourself a favor and grab this book, I know you will love it. 

☆☆☆☆☆ Reviewed by Gayle  Review ARC provided by St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin via Netgalley Publication date: June 24, 2025

#Entertaining #Funny #Happily-Ever-After #Favorite Author #Wonderful characters

Gayle's review of Love, The Duke by Amelia Grey

Coming April 1

 

LOVE, THE DUKE

Say I Do, Book 3

When the Duke of Hurstbourne receives a letter from his childhood friend asking him to marry his sister, Hurst declines. He’s not adverse to taking a bride, but he believes in love at first sight—not marriage sight-unseen. So it is with heightened interest that the well-heeled person standing in front of his desk, attired in tailored finery, challenges his quick instinct and tells him this is no man. Rather, a resourceful and fiery young lady disguised as a man. And a superb disguise at that.

Adhering to society’s strict propriety for ladies, Ophelia Stowe has no choice but to present herself as a man to seek the Duke of Hurstbourne’s favor. If not for the dire situation she finds herself in, she wouldn’t have asked for help from a man who had rebuffed her. When the handsome duke’s response is a plan of his own, Ophelia never dreams it would be a proposal of a marriage of convenience.

But the stakes are high, and the good name of the Stowe family will be damaged if a missing antiquity isn’t found. When she accepts his offer, she quickly finds she isn’t immune to the passion building between her and her new husband--or how real the marriage begins to feel.

Love, The Duke is a quick read, with a likable hero and heroine and is the third book in the Say I Do Series. I am not familiar with Amelia Grey's writing, and I haven't read the first two books in the series, but the book worked for me as a standalone. Love, The Duke is a very visual story, and I enjoyed the author’s description of the characters, clothing and objects. The story was entertaining overall and really started off strong. Ophelia Stowe and The Duke of Hurstbourne have an instant attraction once they get past the awkwardness of their initial meeting. There are several entertaining moments, and my favorite was when Hurst must extract Ophelia from an awkward situation of her own making. The story falters for me when the hero starts to parent Ophelia's behavior, and the couple argue about things they have gone over before. The end picks up with a mad dash to the finish as the couple must resolve the mystery as well as navigate their budding relationship. There is an emotional and touching moment between Hurst and Ophelia that wrap things up nicely.

Love, The Duke is perfect for existing fans of Amelia Gray and those who like a sweet romance with a bit of mystery.

Review by Gayle

Review ARC provided by St. Martin's Press, via Netgalley

Publication Date: 4/1/2025

#entertaining #funny #hea #readromance

Susan’s Review of Baking it Merry by Samantha Chase

For two months out of the year, Daphne Noelle got to live her dream of owning a bakery. Her little pop-up bake shop—one that looked just like a gingerbread house—brought joy to every customer who stopped by to enjoy her sweet treats. She loved meeting people and making them smile, and being in such a festive setting every day was just the icing on the cake! For the last three years, everything had gone smoothly, but this year, there was one guy who was determined to ruin it all.


One of the things Tristan appreciated most about the office complex where his architecture firm was located is how upscale and elegant it was. Unfortunately, every year for eight long weeks, a holiday shop set up in the lobby, turning it into the equivalent of a traveling circus, and the bake shop booth was the worst offender. The giant gingerbread house was an eyesore and the woman running it was too cheery for his liking. This year, he was determined to do everything he could to have her and her booth removed.

Samantha Chase is one of my favorite authors and I look forward to her holiday stories each year. Baking it Merry is a slow burn romance with great characters, a bit of drama and lots of sweet treats.

I loved that instead of a swoony, romantic hero Baking it Merry has a grumpy hero who has no holiday spirit!! Think Cindy Lou Who meets the Grinch on top of Mt. Crumpet!

Daphne Noel sets up her pop up bakery in the lobby of an upscale office building in Raleigh, North Carolina. Her storefront is a life size gingerbread house decorated with large candy canes, ornaments and colored twinkling lights.

Daphne has no idea that architect Tristan Knight cringes each year when the lobby is filled to capacity with the small Christmas shops. Tristan is a Grinch. He is not a fan of the holidays, decorations or the people who crowd the bake shop. He complains to the landlord about the bake shop and about Daphne’s cherry holiday spirit!

I loved Daphne and Tristan’s story. Samantha Chase has created two complex yet; relatable characters. Daphne is a graphic designer and her goal to save money from the holiday shop to open a bakery. Tristan loves order and structure. The holiday season and its chaos interferes with his work goals.

Loved the slow burn opposites attract romance. Tristan’s snarky attitude towards Daphne when she presents her ideas for his holiday parties is perfectly written—I imagined Tristan rolling his eyes and shaking his head.Tristan’s was speechless when his family and friends were wowed by the décor, food and cocktails and Daphne!

Baking it Merry is feel good story about celebrating the holidays and with family and friends. Daphne genuinely loves to spread the joy of Christmas. Tristin learns the true meaning of the season as he and Daphne work together on his holiday parties. Loved that Samantha Chase added several plot twists in this story – it made me root for the couple’s HEA!

With its holiday baking theme, charming characters and opposites attract romance—Baking it Merry would be the perfect Hallmark movie!

Reviewed by Susan Gorman
Purchased via Amazon kindle